Transportinfo.org.uk - today's transport news in the uk, hand picked for you each morning

Saturday, 17 May 2025

BBC News

• Latest changes to train timetables announcedPeople planning to catch a train this weekend are being advised to check before they travel, as timetables are changing.
• Business case approved for city tram extensionThe next phase will see the Midland Metro line extended to reach the east of the Birmingham.
• E-bike battery fires 'tearing through homes' - charity A charity says fires caused by substandard e-scooter and e-bike batteries are "tearing through homes".
• 'Safety fears' over lack of family-friendly car parking spacesOnly five out of 11 council areas provide family-friendly spaces in their car parks in Northern Ireland.
• JSO activists spared jail after Heathrow glue plotNine Just Stop Oil activists are sentenced for planning to disrupt Heathrow Airport last July.
• Gatwick strike called off but disruption loomsA baggage handler's strike at half-term is suspended, but refuelers continue with their walkout.
• US proposes dropping Boeing criminal charge Families criticised the move, which would avoid a trial that is due to begin in June.

Financial Times

• New York commuters hit by NJ Transit rail strike Drivers stop work, causing disruption for more than 350,00 daily passengers

The Herald

• Prestwick Airport hails arrival of China Southern in 'first'Prestwick Airport has unveiled a 'game-changer' agreement. This deal has delivered what it describes as the ?first ever direct scheduled freighter services between China and Scotland?.

The Independent

• Double-decker trains could soon operate through Channel TunnelAlstom's high-speed trains, running up to 200mph, are being considered for the London-Paris route

Times Online

• After 104 years UK?s longest train route is cancelled for ever [subscription]Few passengers stayed on board for the entire 13 hours and 774 miles from Aberdeen to Penzance, and it was hard to keep to the timetable
• Anti-car councils spending thousands on taxis for staff [subscription]Ealing council in London, which committed itself to 'urgent action' to combat climate change, has spent at least £30,000 on cars in the past three years

City AM

• Rolls-Royce: FTSE 100 shares reach record high as £70bn valuation nears Shares in Rolls-Royce have achieved a new record high as the FTSE 100 giant edges closer to being worth £70bn. The Derby-headquartered group finished trading on Thursday, 15 May, with a share price of 816p, 4p higher than its previous record which it set on 19 March. The total means that Rolls-Royce ended the day [...]

i News

• New HS2 farce as £32bn spent - but still not a single track laidCritics say the project's costs are 'utterly out of control' and that progress has been so slow due to how contracts were drawn up

Mail Online

• Jet carrying 200 passengers flies for ten minutes with NO PILOT when first officer collapses in cockpit while captain was in the toilet on flight to SpainThe flight, from Frankfurt to Seville, appeared to be running smoothly and was cruising when disaster almost struck.
• American Airlines flight makes emergency diversion at Nashville AirportFlight 1884 landed in the Tennessee capital just 1 hour and 29 minutes after departing Chicago O'Hare on Friday morning.

The Mirror

• London Underground station's name changed because original was 'stupidly long'London's Underground is made up of hundreds of stations with some of them being named after some unusual things - but one was so odd that it had to be changed

This is Money

• New Twingo e-Tech details revealed - and the EV will cost £17,000Renault's confirmed its new sub-£17k Twingo EV, inspired by the 90s car, will be sold in the UK making it one of the cheapest electric cars when it arrives in 2026.

Birmingham Mail

• Spain could force UK tourists to prove they have £94 in wallet at airportAll non-EU nationals - not just UK residents - must be able to produce proof of funds upon arrival at Spanish borders.
• Government could change £425 car tax for UK drivers after demandsThe Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said they were “talking” to officials about a potential amendment to the Expensive Car Supplement (ECS) fees.
• UK faces EV-only on-street parking with petrol and diesel drivers finedThe new parking spots hope to encourage more drivers to switch to electric vehicles.

Birmingham Post

• Nissan boss suggests UK plant could produce cars for Chinese brandNewly installed Nissan chief executive Ivan Espinosa said "everything is open" when asked if the manufacturer could team up with Chinese state-owned firm Dongfeng at the Wearside plant

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Menai Suspension Bridge roadworks to drag on as Welsh Government issue update'This is a huge blow for the local community, its economy and Ynys Môn more widely' says Plaid MS
• We asked North Wales councils where they are on 20mph changes - this is what they saidUnder plans hundreds of roads could potentially revert back to 30mph

The York Press

• Parking plans for streets near York Barbican divide localsPROPOSALS to introduce parking restrictions on streets near York’s Barbican have divided locals, with one claiming the area is being swamped by cars.
• Free rides on heritage railway to celebrate 10th anniversaryThe Yorkshire Wolds Railway is celebrating its 10th anniversary by offering a day of free travel.

North Wales Live

• Brits face Spain travel chaos as major airport addresses 'infestation'Workers at the airport have complained to bosses over the situation, leading to management calling in pest control

Other Regional Press

• Cruise ship Silver Spirit to return to Southampton after a year absenceA ship that has been sailing across the globe for more than 15-years is set to return to Southampton after a year-long absence.

Railnews

• Lord Blunkett to unveil multi-billion pound plan for Yorkshire railways Former Labour minister David Blunkett is set to unveil a 16 billion-pound plan for railways in Yorkshire today. It outlines investments in new and accessible stations as well as improving the system as a whole to connect cities more effectively over the next 15 years.

Other News Sources

• New Survey Data Highlights Lack of Gender Diversity in Maritime IndustryThe second Women in Maritime survey, jointly published by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA), provides new insights into gender diversity within the industry. The…
• Bus operators urged to get out and make dealsA growing number of areas want bus franchising but ALBUM Conference is told opportunity still exists to shape policy in many parts of the country This month saw the West Midlands become the latest region of England to commit to franchising and newly-elected ‘metro mayors’ express their support for taking bus services back under public control. However, bus operators were told that the franchising tide will stop short of many parts of the country and a window of opportunity exists to influence policy. Speaking at the ALBUM Conference in Nottingham this week, Da...